Can Three Thousand People Be Wrong?

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Category: General | Feb 1992

After the Lord Jesus had returned to heaven, Peter preached a memorable message in Jerusalem, and about three thousand people were saved. Were they left to find their own way through life?

No, the three thousand were baptized in water because it was the Lord's command they should be. Did they argue, discuss, or reason with Peter and the apostles that baptism was not necessary? No, they responded obediently to the claims of their new Master. Were they wrong in their decision? No, they were absolutely right, and their obedience rejoiced the heart of God.

Five other things happened to the three thousand baptized disciples, but before outlining them let us ask this question. Why is it that some people respond to the good news of salvation, but neglect to be baptized in water as disciples? Salvation gives us the status of babes in Christ (1 Peter 2:2); and of children of God (1 John 3:1). But the Lord speaks also of disciples, which is a further step. The Bible says that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John the Baptist (John 4:1). He also commanded His disciples: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel" (Mark 16:15), "make disciples... baptizing them into the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost" (Mat. 28:19). Babes and children are born, and are associated with the new birth; disciples are made, and they follow obediently their Lord and Master. What greater incentive is there to be baptized than the example of the Lord Himself? After His baptism there came a voice from heaven: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Mat. 3:1317).

Obedience rejoices the heart of God. John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, provides this confirmation: "Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the Truth" (3 John v.4). In water baptism Paul reveals that the disciple is walking in the newness of life received at salvation (Rom. 6:4). What excuse, then, does the believer have, young or old, for postponing the vital step of baptism? If further incentive is needed we have the examples of the Ethiopian eunuch, who did not hesitate after he was saved through Philip's gospel message from Isaiah 53 (Acts 8:2& 40); and the Philippian jailer who was saved and baptized, as also was his family (Acts 16:25-34).

In answer to our main question, then: the three thousand saved people were not wrong to be baptized after being saved, for their obedience opened the door to further blessing. After salvation and baptism they were added together with the one hundred and twenty waiting disciples to form the first church of God of this dispensation, at Jerusalem. As such, they continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching, in the fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the prayers (Acts 2:41,42). Here we have seven basic truths which were practised and taught consistently by the apostles, including Paul, in their endeavours to spread the gospel, and the truth of the churches of God, which were framed together to form a spiritual house of God, where He can be served and worshipped by a royal and holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:310).

Are you allowing anything to hinder you from following?

R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Feb 1992
General